Method for assigning prizes in a bingo-type games

ABSTRACT

A method includes determining a pattern probability for each of a number of target patterns achievable in a bingo-type game. Each pattern probability comprises a probability of achieving the respective target pattern in the bingo-type game. The method further includes associating or mapping different pattern sets to each different prize level in a desired prize distribution. The target patterns and their respective pattern probabilities are assigned or mapped to the different pattern sets so that the individual pattern probabilities included in each pattern set add up to the desired probability of the prize level with which the pattern set is associated. In this way, a desired prize distribution may be used in a bingo-type game

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/836,993, filed Apr. 18, 2001, and entitled “Method forAssigning Prizes in Bingo-Type Games,” now U.S. Pat. No. ______. Theentire content of this prior related application is incorporated hereinby this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to bingo-type gaming systems. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a method for assigning prizesfrom a number of different prize levels available in a bingo-type game.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Numerous gaming systems have been developed in which participantsmay be awarded prizes based on the result or outcome of a game play. Theoutcome of a game play in a gaming system may be determined in a numberof different fashions. Video and electronic games available in casinosmay determine a win or loss for each play of the game according to somealgorithm. Lottery-type games rely on predetermined game records whichare analogous to lottery tickets. Each game record is predetermined asbeing a winning or losing record, and winning records are associatedwith some prize. These predetermined game records are distributed toplayers in the course of game play, and a player receiving a winningrecord is entitled to the prize associated with that record.

[0004] Bingo-type games make up another general class of gaming systems.A bingo-type game is played with predetermined cards that include anumber of symbols randomly arranged in a grid of spots or locations. Thecards may be physically printed on paper or another suitable material ormay be represented by a data structure which defines the various cardlocations and symbols associated with the locations. In the course ofplay, symbols are randomly selected from a pool of the symbols andmatched to the symbols on the card. A card having matching symbolsarranged in some predetermined pattern is considered a winning card.

[0005] A new type of gaming system is disclosed in U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/265,100 entitled “Object Draw Gaming Systemand Program Product.” The entire content of this provisional patentapplication is incorporated herein by this reference. This gaming systemuses predetermined bingo-type cards, each card comprising a grid orother structure of locations and each location associated with one of anumber of symbols. Outcomes in the game are determined by matchingrandomly selected symbols with the symbols on the player cards as in anybingo-type game. However, the matches and thus winning and losing playercards are determined prior to distributing the cards to the players. Thematched or “daubed” cards are distributed in some random order toplayers in response to game play requests from the players. Preferably,each player card and each matched player card is represented by a datastructure, and the data structure itself or related data for a matchedcard is distributed to a player in response to a request for a play inthe game. The players make these game play requests through playerterminals which are in communication with a central computer used todistribute the matched game cards or related data.

[0006] Lottery-type games are each associated with a prize distributionor prize table. The prize table assigns the various outcomes in the gameto different prize levels. For example, a prize table may be patternedon a poker game with various poker hands related to the various prizelevels in the game. In this example, the poker hand representation is agraphic representation of the outcome in the game. The differentpossible hands are each associated with, or assigned to, a particularprize level in the prize table. Other prize tables may have a reel-typegame (slot machine) theme, some other traditional casino game theme, ora theme totally unrelated to traditional gaming.

[0007] It is desirable for the games available at a particular gamingestablishment to have a variety of different prize distributions. Thisvariety in prize distributions helps maintain player interest and makesthe gaming experience more exciting. It is also desirable that eachparticular prize distribution include a diverse set of the availableprizes. A diverse set of prizes available in a game helps make the gamemore interesting and enjoyable to the players.

[0008] One problem with bingo-type games is that the probability ofwinning or losing with a particular card is always determined by a fixedset of constraints. These constraints include the number of symbolsavailable in the pool of symbols, the predetermined pattern or patternsto be matched, and the number of locations on the card (or card datastructure). For a given set of constraints, the probabilities of winningand losing are generally fixed. Although it is possible to vary thesebingo probabilities by varying these constraints, varying theconstraints may be cumbersome. Also, even varying the constraints forthe bingo game only has a limited effect on the resulting bingoprobabilities.

[0009] Using bingo game probabilities to determine prize levels in abingo-type game such as that described in U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/265,100 would constrain the possible prizedistribution for the game and prevent the use of a desirable prizetable/prize distribution. It is therefore desirable to develop some newmethod of assigning or distributing prizes in bingo-type games ingeneral, and particularly the bingo-type game described in U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/265,100.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is an object of the invention to provide a method forassigning bingo-type game prizes which overcomes the above-describedproblems associated with bingo-type games. The invention encompassesboth a method for developing a desirable prize distribution for abingo-type game and method for assigning prizes in a bingo-type game.

[0011] A method according to the invention includes determining apattern probability for each of a number of target patterns achievablein a bingo-type game. Each pattern probability comprises a probabilityof achieving the respective target pattern in the bingo-type game. Themethod next includes associating or mapping a different pattern set toeach different prize level in a desired prize distribution. The targetpatterns and their respective pattern probabilities are then assigned ormapped to the different pattern sets so that the individual patternprobabilities included in each pattern set add up to the desiredprobability of the prize level with which the pattern set is associated.By defining pattern sets in this way, a desired prize distribution maybe developed for a bingo-type game. That is, the prize table or prizedistribution for the bingo-type game need not be constrained to thebingo probabilities associated with achieving particular patterns in thegame.

[0012] The target patterns may be any patterns that may be achieved in abingo-type game. For example, a card for a bingo-type game may include agrid of the 5×5 spots or locations, with a symbol associated with eachlocation in the grid. A target pattern within the scope of the inventionmay be any pattern which may be produced by the locations on the card. Atarget pattern may, for example, comprise a straight line of fivelocations, or two diagonal lines of locations forming an “X.” Any otherpattern may be used as a target pattern within the scope of the presentinvention, including patterns which do not form an identifiable shape.

[0013] For a given bingo-type game conducted with a given set of rules,each target pattern will be associated with a pattern probability. Thispattern probability is the probability of a player achieving thatparticular pattern under the rules of play in the bingo-type game. For acertain number of target patterns there will be associated acorresponding number of target probabilities, each target pattern in thegroup associated with a characteristic pattern probability. As used inthis disclosure and the accompanying claims, a “number” of elements suchas a “number” of target patterns will mean some integer value greaterthan one, unless specifically stated otherwise. Thus, the phrase “anumber of target patterns” refers to a group of more than one targetpattern.

[0014] A desired prize distribution or prize table within the scope ofthe present invention will include a number of different prize levels.Each prize level in a desired prize distribution is associated with botha prize and a desired probability of winning that prize in the course ofgame play. It is important to note that according to the invention, adesired prize distribution may be any prize distribution. In particular,a desired prize distribution may be a distribution associated with somepreexisting game such as a traditional poker game for example. A primaryadvantage of the present invention is that prizes may be awarded fromthe bingo-type game to produce any desired prize distribution and yetthe individual prizes are determined by the underlying bingo-type gamewhich is subject to the relatively fixed bingo probabilities.

[0015] The step of associating or mapping target patterns to the patternsets/prize levels, that is, the process of defining the pattern sets,may be accomplished in many different ways. For example, the targetpatterns may be chosen manually for inclusion in a particular patternset, or chosen according to some rule. Target patterns may also beselected for the various pattern sets in some automated fashionaccording to an algorithm. The only constraint according to the presentinvention is that the pattern probabilities of target patterns includedin each individual pattern set must add together or sum to a value whichapproximates the probability of the prize level with which that patternset is associated. It will be appreciated that the pattern probabilitiesin a given pattern set may not total exactly to the desired prize levelprobability. However, it is the goal of the invention to associate ormap target patterns and their respective pattern probabilities topattern sets so that the pattern probabilities in each set total to avalue approximately equal to the probability associated with therespective prize level for which the pattern set is defined. Theallowable variation between the sum of pattern probabilities in apattern set and the respective prize level probability may besignificant, however, in every case the target patterns and respectivepattern probabilities are selected for inclusion in a pattern set basedat least partially upon the desired prize level probability for whichthe pattern set is defined.

[0016] According to the present invention, prizes from the desired prizedistribution or prize table are awarded in the bingo-type game accordingto the pattern set with which an achieved target pattern is associated.For example, a prize level associated with prize X in a given prizedistribution may be associated or mapped to a pattern set includingthree target patterns, patterns A, B, and C. A player holding a cardthat achieves pattern A in the bingo-type game will be awarded prize X.Players holding cards that achieve target patterns B and C will also beawarded prize X.

[0017] An advantage of the present invention is that once patternprobabilities are determined for a bingo-type game under given rules ofplay, these probabilities may be used to develop a number of differentprize distributions or prize tables for games using the same underlyingbingo-type game. Specifically, after target patterns/patternprobabilities are mapped to the various prize levels of a first desiredprize distribution, the method according to the invention may includemapping target patterns/pattern probabilities to additional pattern setsassociated with prize levels of an entirely different prize distributionor prize table. Once again, each target pattern and its respectivepattern probability is mapped to the various additional pattern sets sothat the pattern probabilities in each set total approximately to theprobability of the additional prize level with which the respectivepattern set is associated.

[0018] These and other objects, advantages, and features of theinvention will be apparent from the following description of thepreferred embodiments, considered along with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 shows an example prize distribution or prize table whichmay be used according to the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the process steps according to thepresent invention.

[0021]FIG. 3 shows a group of pattern probabilities for a bingo-typegame.

[0022]FIG. 4 shows a grid which may be used in a bingo-type gameemploying the target patterns defined in FIG. 3.

[0023]FIG. 5 is a table showing pattern sets mapped to the various prizelevels of the prize distribution shown in FIG. 1, and showing the targetpatterns of FIG. 3 mapped to the various pattern sets.

[0024]FIG. 6 shows an additional or alternative prize distribution whichmay be used according to the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 7 is a table showing pattern sets mapped to the various prizelevels of the prize distribution shown in FIG. 6, and showing the targetpatterns of FIG. 3 mapped to the various pattern sets.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026]FIG. 1 shows a prize distribution or prize table with which thepresent invention may be employed. The prize distribution shown in FIG.1 includes five prize levels, levels 0 through 4. The first column ofFIG. 1 shows the prize level, while the second column shows an exemplarydesired probability for winning at that particular prize level in thegame. For example, level 0 is associated with the probability 0.299. Thefinal column in each entry in FIG. 1 contains a prize value associatedwith the particular prize level. Prize level 0 is associated with prizevalue N₀, for example.

[0027] The prize levels and probabilities for a prize distributionwithin the scope of the invention may be developed in any suitablemanner. Developing prize distributions in gaming systems is well knownin the art and will not be described in detail here so as not to obscurethe invention in unnecessary detail. It will be appreciated that a prizedistribution which may be used with the present invention is not limitedto five levels as shown for purposes of example in FIG. 1, and is notlimited to any particular probabilities at each level. A particularprize distribution used with the invention may have more or fewer prizelevels than the five shown in FIG. 1. The prize levels may be chosen toimitate a pre-existing game, or an entirely new type of game. It willalso be appreciated that each prize level in a prize distribution may beassociated with several different prize values. The different prizevalues may correspond to different wagers that may be made by a playerin a game which uses the prize distribution.

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 2, the method of the invention includesdetermining the probabilities for several target patterns which may beachieved in a bingo-type game under given rules of play. This patternprobability determination step is shown at process block 200 in FIG. 2.FIG. 3 shows a number of different target patterns, each target patternassociated with an example pattern probability. Each row in FIG. 3 isdedicated to a particular target pattern and includes a target patternlabel or identifier 300 in the first column, a target pattern definitionor description 301 in the second column, and the actual probability 302of achieving that target pattern in the final column. For example, thefirst row in FIG. 3 shows that the target pattern “straight line” isassociated with the probability 0.2 and for purposes of this disclosureis identified with the label P1. The number of patterns shown in FIG. 3is shown only for purposes of description. More or fewer patterndefinitions may be used according to the present invention. Also, itshould be noted that the example probability values shown in the finalcolumn of FIG. 3 are purely fictional and are selected simply forconvenience in describing the present invention. Depending upon therules of game play in the bingo-type game, many different probabilitiesmay be created for the described patterns. For example, in the actualimplementation described below, the black out pattern is actuallyassociated with the highest probability in the group of probabilities,and not the lowest as indicated in FIG. 3. Also, it should be noted thata pattern used in the invention may be an identifiable pattern, anunidentifiable pattern, or a composite of the two. For example, apattern may be defined as a pattern for the letter “M.” Another patternmay be defined as a pattern making the letter “M,” plus any one or moreother locations on the grid. Yet another pattern may be defined as somearbitrary arrangement of daubed locations on a grid.

[0029] The patterns described in FIG. 3 are patterns suitable for use ina game using game cards each comprising or representing a grid, witheach location on the grid associated with a symbol or indicia. FIG. 4shows such a grid having five columns and five rows. Each location islabeled in the drawing with a numerical identifier for purposes ofdescribing the present invention. The symbols which would be associatedwith the various locations are not shown in FIG. 4. With the grid-typegame card shown in FIG. 4, the target pattern identified at P3 in FIG.3, the “letter L” target pattern, is defined by locations 1, 6, 11, 16,21, 22, 23, 24, and 25. A straight line identified as target pattern P1may be any straight line of locations on the grid such as the top rowlocations 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, or the diagonal line defined by locations1, 7, 13, 19, and 25 for example.

[0030] It will be appreciated that the grid-type game card shown in FIG.4 is shown only for purposes of example. The invention is not limited tothat particular card definition or to target patterns which may bedefined in the illustrated 5×5 grid in FIG. 4 or any other size of grid.Rather, the present invention has application to any bingo-type orpattern matching game using predefined cards (that is, predefined symbolstructures) with a predefined symbol distribution, where the outcome ofthe game for a particular card or symbol structure is determined by thepattern formed on the card when the card symbols are matched to symbolsrandomly selected from a pool of symbols.

[0031] Referring again to FIG. 2, once the pattern probabilities aredetermined for the bingo-type game, the method includes the step ofassociating or mapping a different pattern set to each prize level inthe desired prize distribution. This mapping step is shown at processblock 201 in FIG. 2. As shown at block 202 in FIG. 2, the method alsoincludes associating or mapping the various target patterns andrespective pattern probabilities to each pattern set. FIG. 5 showsexample pattern sets for the prize distribution shown in FIG. 1 and thetarget patterns shown in FIG. 3. According to the invention, the patternprobabilities in each pattern set may be added together or summed toproduce a numerical value approximating the probability associated withthe respective prize level to which the pattern set is mapped orassociated. Referring to the first row in FIG. 5 for example, prizelevel 0 is associated with or mapped to a pattern set shown in the finalcolumn and comprising target pattern P11. This target patternencompasses all patterns other than the patterns defined in FIG. 3. Thepattern probability associated with this target pattern is shown inparentheses in the final column of FIG. 5 and equals the probabilityassociated with prize level 0. Referring to prize level 1, the patternprobabilities associated with target patterns P1 and P2 sum together toequal 0.3, the desired probability associated with prize level 1. Forprize level 2, the pattern probabilities associated with patterns P3,P4, and P5 add together to equal 0.25, the probability associated withprize level 2. Referring to the next row down in FIG. 5 for prize level3, the probabilities associated with target patterns P6, P7, P8, and P9add together to 0.15, which is the probability associated with prizelevel 3. The pattern set shown in the final row of FIG. 5 is mapped toprize level 4. This pattern set includes only a single target pattern,pattern P10. The pattern probability of target pattern P10 equals thedesired probability associated with prize level 4, 0.001.

[0032] As indicated by the dashed box 204 around process blocks 201 and202, the individual steps of mapping pattern sets to the various prizelevels and mapping target patterns to those sets may be thought of as asingle step. That is, the invention is not limited to first assigning ormapping pattern sets to the various prize levels and then assigning ormapping target patterns to the various pattern sets. The act ofassigning or mapping a given target pattern or target patternprobability to a prize level effectively assigns or associates a patternset with the prize level. That associated set includes the assignedtarget pattern or target pattern probability and may include othertarget patterns or target pattern probabilities that may be assigned ormapped to that prize level.

[0033] Referring again to FIG. 2, once the target patterns andrespective pattern probabilities are mapped to the prize levels asindicated at process block 202, prizes may be distributed or assigned ina game based on the association or relationship between the targetpatterns achieved in a game and the respective prize levels to whichthose target patterns are mapped. This assignment of prizes is shown atprocess block 203 in FIG. 2. For example, assume that a player holds agame card which produces a straight line in the play of the bingo-typegame. The straight line target pattern P1 is mapped to prize level 1 asshown in FIG. 5. Thus, the player is awarded the prize associated withprize level 1, prize N₁ shown in FIG. 5. As another example, assume aplayer holds a game card which produces the letter “C” pattern in thecourse of play. This letter “C” pattern is shown as target pattern P4 inFIG. 3. Since target pattern P4 is included in the pattern set mapped toprize level 2 as shown in FIG. 5, the player holding the game cardproducing the “C” target pattern is awarded prize N₂ associated withprize level 2. As yet another example, assume a player in the bingo-typegame holds a card that produces a “black out” (target pattern P10) inthe course of play. Target pattern P10 is mapped to prize level 4, andthus the player holding this card is awarded prize N₄, associated withprize level 4.

[0034] As indicated at process block 205 in FIG. 2, the method accordingto the invention may also include associating or mapping a pattern setto each prize level of an additional prize distribution. The method mayfurther include mapping target patterns and pattern probabilities toeach pattern set as shown at process block 206. Similar to the stepsshown at process blocks 201 and 202, the steps shown at process blocks205 and 206 may be considered a single step as indicated by the dashedbox 208. FIG. 6 shows an additional prize distribution or prize tablewhich is different from the prize distribution shown in FIG. 1. Not onlyare the probabilities associated with some of the prize levels differentfrom those shown in FIG. 1, but also the prize distribution shown inFIG. 6 includes six prize levels. The pattern sets and target patternsmapped according to these six different prize levels are shown in FIG.7. In this case, target pattern P1 is mapped to the pattern setassociated with prize level 1. Target patterns P2 and P4 are also mappedto the pattern set associated with prize level 1. Once again, thepattern probabilities included in each pattern set add together toresult in a numerical value which approximates the probabilityassociated with the prize level to which the pattern probability ismapped. In the example shown in the second row of FIG. 7 for prize level1, the probabilities of target patterns P1, P2, and P4 (0.2, 0.1, and0.05, respectively) add up to 0.35, the desired probability of winningat prize level 1 in the prize distribution shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0035] Once the target patterns and pattern probabilities are mapped,prizes may be assigned to game players based on the association betweenthe target patterns and the respective prize levels to which they aremapped. This prize assignment step is shown at process block 207 in FIG.2. For example, for the mapping shown in FIG. 7, a player holding a cardthat produces a straight line in the course of the bingo-type game isawarded the prize associated with prize level 1. A player holding a cardthat produces a letter “C” target pattern, pattern P4, is awarded theprize associated with prize level 1. Note that target pattern P4 ismapped to prize level 2 in the example shown in FIG. 5, but mapped toprize level 1 in the example shown in FIG. 7.

[0036] It will be noted by comparing FIGS. 5 and 7, that the very samegroup of target patterns and pattern probabilities (shown in FIG. 3) maybe mapped according to the invention to produce two entirely differentprize distributions for distributing prizes in the bingo-type game forwhich the pattern probabilities are determined. Depending upon thenumber of target patterns for which pattern probabilities aredetermined, the same target patterns and pattern probabilities may bemapped in many different ways to produce numerous different prizedistributions. These different prize distributions may be used fornumerous different games portrayed to game players. Yet the outcome of aplay in each game is determined entirely by the underlying matchedpattern of a single type of bingo game, just as in any bingo-type game,whether the symbols for a game are produced using an object draw systemor a randomly selected in some other way.

[0037] In the examples shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the pattern probabilitiesmapped to the various pattern sets each add up exactly to the desiredprize probability associated with the prize level to which the patternprobabilities are mapped. These simple examples are shown only forpurposes of convenience and to facilitate the description of theinvention. It will be appreciated that in a real world example ofpattern probabilities, it may not be possible to map the patternprobabilities so that probability values add up exactly to the desiredprize level probabilities. However, it is the goal of the presentinvention that the pattern probabilities may be mapped to approximatethe desired prize level probabilities. As used in this disclosure andthe accompanying claims, the word “approximate” is used in connectionwith the pattern probability totals in a pattern set to indicate thatthe target patterns and pattern probabilities are chosen for the setwith the desired prize level probability in mind. To facilitate thedesired approximation of desired prize level probabilities, game cardsand target patterns may be chosen to provide a wide variety of availablepattern probabilities to be mapped to the various pattern sets and prizelevels. Having a relatively larger number of target patterns andrespective pattern probabilities which may be mapped provides relativelymore flexibility in producing pattern sets with pattern probabilitiesthat total to the desired prize level probabilities.

[0038] Although the pattern probabilities may be determined in anyfashion, they will in any case be dependent upon the rules of play forthe underlying bingo-type game. Those rules of play may be selected toprovide a diverse group of pattern probabilities for mapping to thevarious pattern sets according to the invention. The rules of play forthe underlying bingo-type game are preferably chosen to ensure no playerhas an advantage over the other players in the game.

[0039] One preferred implementation uses a card perm of five by fivebingo cards with each of the twenty-five locations on each cardassociated with a number from 1 through 75. The card perm is limited sothat every number shows up 81 times and so that each card is unique,that is, no two cards have the same 25 numbers. This results in a permof 243 cards.

[0040] This preferred implementation defines the “stop pattern” for thebingo-type game as a blackout pattern in which all locations on a cardare matched by numbers drawn randomly from the pool of numbers 1 through75. The numbers are chosen randomly using a ball draw device or balldraw simulation device in which 75 balls are marked with the numbers 1through 75, mixed together and then drawn randomly to produce thedesired random sequence of numbers. This example implementation islimited to use only games that end on exactly 65 balls. All other gamesare discarded. Approximately 15 percent of all games should end onexactly 65 balls.

[0041] For each game, the perm of 243 cards is shuffled so that thecards are in a random order. Balls are then drawn from the pool of ballsnumbered 1 through 75, and on each draw the cards are evaluated one at atime in the shuffled order to determine if the stop pattern has beenproduced on any card. If the stop pattern is produced on a single cardbefore the 65th ball is drawn or where no stop pattern is detected afterthe 65th ball is drawn, the game is discarded and the process beginsagain. If the stop pattern is detected on the 65th ball, all cards inthe randomly shuffled perm after the first detected stop pattern arediscarded and all cards before the card which achieved the stop patternare evaluated for other patterns which are defined as some level ofwinning pattern. The resulting set of cards containing both winning andlosing cards are placed in the order they were produced for distributionto players as described in U.S. provisional patent application No.60/265,100 entitled “Object Draw Gaming System and Program Product.”

[0042] Based on these rules of play for the bingo-type game, theprobabilities of each individual target pattern occurring is determinedthrough simulation or other suitable technique. Once the probabilitiesare determined, the pattern set and target pattern mapping steps shownin FIG. 2 are performed. In the example implementation, the stop patternis assigned to the highest probability prize level in the desired prizedistribution. Starting next with the highest, least probable prize levelin the prize distribution and the least probable individual patternprobability, the individual target patterns are mapped to that prizelevel until the individual pattern probabilities total to near thedesired prize level probability for that prize level. Once targetpatterns and pattern probabilities are mapped to the least probableprize level in the desired prize distribution, mapping continues withthe pattern set for the next least probable prize level in the prizedistribution using the remaining target patterns and targetprobabilities. The process continues until all target patterns have beenmapped.

[0043] In another implementation of the invention, pattern sets arelimited to patterns which produce some recognizable arrangement, orpatterns which include the recognizable arrangement. For example, apattern set may be based upon patterns in a five-by-five bingo card orcard representation that make up at least the letter “M.” This “M”pattern would be defined by locations 1, 6, 11, 16, 21, 7, 13, 9, 5, 10,15, 20, and 25 in the card shown in FIG. 4. The pattern set wouldinclude this “M” pattern and patterns which make the letter “M” plushave additional locations daubed, locations 2 and 3 in FIG. 4 forexample. It will be appreciated that this implementation of theinvention requires that the base recognizable pattern (or patterns) foreach pattern set be selected carefully so that the probabilities of thepatterns in that resulting set add up to the desired prize levelprobability. It will also be appreciated that the patterns which fall ina given pattern set (according to a particular rule) must be removedfrom the available pool of patterns which may be assigned to otherpattern sets. That is, a given pattern may be assigned only to a singlepattern set according to the invention. Otherwise a given pattern couldbe associated with more than one prize level, which would be anundesirable result.

[0044] The above-described preferred embodiments are intended toillustrate the principles of the invention, but not to limit the scopeof the invention. Various other embodiments and modifications to thesepreferred embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope of the following claims. It will be appreciatedthat the invention applies equally to bingo-type games using paper cardsor bingo-type games using data structures to define game cards. Also,although the present invention has particular application to bingo-typegames as described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/265,100, the prize assignment method according to the invention maybe used with other bingo-type games, including traditional bingo games.

1. A prize distribution method for bingo-type games, the method including the steps of: (a) determining a pattern probability for each of a number of target patterns achievable in the bingo-type game, each pattern probability comprising a probability of achieving the respective target pattern in the bingo-type game; (b) for each prize level of a number of prize levels for the bingo-type game, defining a respective pattern set, each respective pattern set containing at least one target pattern and at least one respective pattern set containing two or more target patterns; (c) wherein for each pattern set that contains only one target pattern, the respective pattern probability associated with that respective target pattern is approximately equal to a probability associated with the respective prize level for which the respective pattern set is defined; and (d) wherein for each pattern set that contains two or more target patterns, the respective pattern probabilities associated with those respective target patterns sum to a value that is approximately equal to a probability associated with the respective prize level for which the respective pattern set is defined.
 2. The method of claim 1 further including the step of awarding a prize to a player in the bingo-type game when the player achieves a target pattern in the bingo-type game, the prize corresponding to the respective pattern set containing the player's achieved target pattern and corresponding to the prize level for which the respective pattern set is defined.
 3. The method of claim 1 further including the step of: (a) for each prize level of a number of additional prize levels for the bingo-type game, defining a respective additional pattern set, each respective additional pattern set containing at least one target pattern and at least one respective additional pattern set containing two or more target patterns; (b) wherein for each additional pattern set that contains only one target pattern, the respective pattern probability associated with that respective target pattern is approximately equal to a probability associated with the respective additional prize level for which the respective additional pattern set is defined; and (c) wherein for each additional pattern set that contains two or more target patterns, the respective pattern probabilities associated with those respective target patterns sum to a value that is approximately equal to a probability associated with the respective additional prize level for which the respective additional pattern set is defined.
 4. A prize distribution method for bingo-type games, the method including the steps of: (a) determining a pattern probability for each of a number of target patterns achievable in the bingo-type game, each pattern probability comprising a probability of achieving the respective target pattern in the bingo-type game; (b) for each prize level of a number of prize levels for the bingo-type game, defining a respective pattern set, each respective pattern set containing at least one target pattern and at least one respective pattern set containing two or more target patterns; (c) wherein for each pattern set that contains only one target pattern, the respective pattern probability associated with that respective target pattern is approximately equal to a probability associated with the respective prize level for which the respective pattern set is defined; and (d) wherein for each pattern set that contains two or more target patterns, the respective pattern probabilities associated with those respective target patterns sum to a value that approximates a probability associated with the respective prize level for which the respective-pattern set is defined.
 5. The method of claim 4 further including the step of awarding a prize to a player in the bingo-type game when the player achieves a target pattern in the bingo-type game, the prize corresponding to the respective pattern set containing the player's achieved target pattern and corresponding to the prize level for which the respective pattern set is defined.
 6. The method of claim 4 further including the step of: (a) for each prize level of a number of additional prize levels for the bingo-type game, defining a respective additional pattern set, each respective additional pattern set containing at least one target pattern and at least one respective additional pattern set containing two or more target patterns; (b) wherein for each additional pattern set that contains only one target pattern, the respective pattern probability associated with that respective target pattern is approximately equal to a probability associated with the respective additional prize level for which the respective additional pattern set is defined; and (c) wherein for each additional pattern set that contains two or more target patterns, the respective pattern probabilities associated with those respective target patterns sum to a value that approximates a probability associated with the respective additional prize level for which the respective additional pattern set is defined.
 7. A prize distribution method for bingo-type games in which a number of target patterns are achievable, each target pattern being associated with a respective pattern probability comprising the probability of achieving the respective target pattern in the bingo-type game, the method including the steps of: (a) for each prize level of a number of prize levels for the bingo-type game, defining a respective pattern set, each respective pattern set containing at least one target pattern and at least one respective pattern set containing two or more target patterns; (b) wherein for each pattern set that contains only one target pattern, the respective pattern probability associated with that respective target pattern is approximately equal to a probability associated with the respective prize level for which the respective pattern set is defined; (c) wherein for each pattern set that contains two or more target patterns, the respective pattern probabilities associated with those respective target patterns sum to a value that is approximately equal to a probability associated with the respective prize level for which the respective pattern set is defined; and (d) wherein at least one respective pattern set containing two or more target patterns is defined for a prize level positioned above a lowest prize level in the number of prize levels.
 8. The method of claim 7 further including the step of awarding a prize to a player in the bingo-type game when the player achieves a target pattern in the bingo-type game, the prize corresponding to the respective pattern set containing the player's achieved target pattern and corresponding to the prize level for which the respective pattern set is defined.
 9. The method of claim 7 further including the step of: (a) for each prize level of a number of additional prize levels for the bingo-type game, defining a respective additional pattern set, each respective additional pattern set containing at least one target pattern and at least one respective additional pattern set containing two or more target patterns; (b) wherein for each additional pattern set that contains only one target pattern, the respective pattern probability associated with that respective target pattern is approximately equal to a probability associated with the respective additional prize level for which the respective additional pattern set is defined; and (c) wherein for each additional pattern set that contains two or more target patterns, the respective pattern probabilities associated with those respective target patterns sum to a value that is approximately equal to a probability associated with the respective additional prize level for which the respective additional pattern set is defined.
 10. A prize distribution method for bingo-type games in which a number of target patterns are achievable, each target pattern being associated with a respective pattern probability comprising the probability of achieving the respective target pattern in the bingo-type game, the method including the steps of: (a) for each prize level of a number of prize levels for the bingo-type game, defining a respective pattern set, each respective pattern set containing at least one target pattern and at least one respective pattern set containing two or more target patterns; (b) wherein for each pattern set that contains only one target pattern, the respective pattern probability associated with that respective target pattern is approximately equal to a probability associated with the respective prize level for which the respective pattern set is defined; (c) wherein for each pattern set that contains two or more target patterns, the respective pattern probabilities associated with those respective target patterns sum to a value that approximates a probability associated with the respective prize level for which the respective pattern set is defined; and (d) wherein at least one respective pattern set containing two or more target patterns is defined for a prize level positioned above a lowest prize level in the number of prize levels.
 11. The method of claim 10 further including the step of awarding a prize to a player in the bingo-type game when the player achieves a target pattern in the bingo-type game, the prize corresponding to the respective pattern set containing the player's achieved target pattern and corresponding to the prize level for which the respective pattern set is defined.
 12. The method of claim 10 further including the step of: (a) for each prize level of a number of additional prize levels for the bingo-type game, defining a respective additional pattern set, each respective additional pattern set containing at least one target pattern and at least one respective additional pattern set containing two or more target patterns; (b) wherein for each additional pattern set that contains only one target pattern, the respective pattern probability associated with that respective target pattern is approximately equal to a probability associated with the respective additional prize level for which the respective additional pattern set is defined; and (c) wherein for each additional pattern set that contains two or more target patterns, the respective pattern probabilities associated with those respective target patterns sum to a value that is approximately equal to a probability associated with the respective additional prize level for which the respective additional pattern set is defined. 